TOWN MP John Pugh’s drive for a rewrite of controversial NHS reforms won support at the Liberal Democrats’ spring conference.In an embarrassing loss of face for leader Nick Clegg, members overwhelmingly passed a motion against Coalition plans to impose free market-based competition.
Health secretary Andrew Lansley’s Health and Social Care Bill will hand 80% of the NHS budget to consortia of GPs, who will buy services from providers in the public, private and charity sectors.
But the MP raised fears that NHS hospitals will go bust if private firms grab large chunks of their revenue by cherry-picking the easiest treatments.
Dr Pugh spoke in favour of a grassroots amendment at the party’s Sheffield conference.
He said: “We are sounding a warning bell of trouble ahead which I hope ministers will listen to.
“The NHS is too precious an asset to be used as a political football or as a subject for social experimentation.
“It is important now that the public engage with this debate and look below the bonnet to find out what the plans really involve.”
Sefton Local Involvement Network's Health and Social Care News Blog
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